Abstract:

The present invention relates to a package (1) comprising a first unit
(11) for a smokeable tobacco product and a second unit (12) for a
smokeless tobacco product.

Claims:

1. A package, comprising:a first unit for a smokeable tobacco product;
anda second unit for a smokeless tobacco product,characterised in thatat
least said second unit is of a material suitable as a barrier material
for moisture and/or aroma related to said smokeless tobacco product.

2. A package according to claim 1, characterised in that at least said
first unit is of a material suitable as a barrier material for said
smokeable tobacco product.

3. A package according to either of claim 1 or 2, characterised in that
said package comprises at least one disposal unit for used products.

4. A package according to claim 3, characterised in that said second unit
comprises one product unit for smokeless tobacco products and one
disposal unit for used smokeless products.

5. A package according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said
second unit comprises a base portion and a lid portion, and that said lid
portion is resealably removeable from said base portion.

6. A package according to any preceding claim, characterised in that said
package comprises an outer casing enclosing said first and second units.

7. A package according to claim 6, characterised in that said outer casing
is selected from the group consisting of a flip top box, a soft pack, and
a flexible film.

8. A package according to claim 6, characterised in that said second unit
is selected from the group consisting of a flip-top box, a blister-type
container, a resealable zipper-type bag, and a container having an
opening with a barrier or film resealably located over the opening.

9. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that
said first unit is selected from the group consisting of a flip top box,
a soft pack, a blister-type container, and a resealable zipper-type bag.

10. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that
said second unit is sealingly, removably, replaceably, magnetically or
hingedly attached to an outer side of a surface of said first unit.

11. A package according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that
said second unit is sealingly, removably, replaceably, magnetically or
hingedly attached to an inner side of a surface of said first unit.

12. A second unit for storage of a smokeless tobacco product,
characterised in that said second unit is adapted to connect with a first
unit for storage of smokeable products.

13. A second unit according to claim 12, characterised in that said second
unit is sealingly, removably, replaceably, magnetically or hingedly
attached to a surface of said first unit.

14. A second unit according to either of claim 12 or 13, characterised in
that said second unit is of a material suitable as a barrier material for
moisture and/or aroma related to said smokeless tobacco.

15. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-14, characterised in
that said second unit comprises at least one product unit for smokeless
tobacco products and a disposal unit for used products.

16. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-15, characterised in
that said second unit comprises a base portion and a lid portion, and
that said lid portion is resealably removeable from said base portion.

17. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-16, characterised in
that second unit is adapted to fit within said first unit.

18. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-17, characterised in
that said first unit is selected from the group consisting of a flip top
box, a soft pack, a blister-type container, and a resealable zipper-type
bag.

19. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-17, characterised in
that said second unit is adapted to fit within an outer casing selected
from the group consisting of a flip top box, a soft pack, and a flexible
film.

20. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-19, characterised in
that said second unit is selected from the group consisting of a flip-top
box, a blister-type container, a resealable zipper-type bag, and a
container having an opening with a barrier or film resealably located
over the opening.

21. A second unit according to any one of claims 12-20, characterised in
that said second unit is a refill package.

22. A method of making a package, comprising the steps of:providing a
first unit comprising a charge of a smokeable tobacco product;providing a
second unit comprising a charge of a smokeless tobacco product and formed
of at least one material suitable as a barrier for moisture and/or aroma
related to said smokeless tobacco product; andassembling the package so
as to join the first unit and the second unit.

Description:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates to a package for tobacco products and
a method of producing a package for tobacco products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]Packaging for general consumer goods is varied and diverse, and a
wide variety of packages for tobacco products are known in the art.
Tobacco products can be offered in conjunction with supplemental products
intended for use with the tobacco products. For example, packages are
known which incorporate cigarettes with matches or lighters, see FR
2,565,210 A1. Such a package can make carrying and use of the tobacco
products simpler and less cumbersome. There are also packages which
provide loose tobacco and rolling papers in a single container, see U.S.
Pat. No. 5,927,488. Such packages can provide a single, convenient parcel
with the necessary components for a consumer to make their own
cigarettes.

[0003]In addition to combining two different products that are intended to
be used together, packaging solutions exist where one component supports
or facilitates storage of unused products, whereas another accommodates
used or consumed product. For example, in the tobacco field packages are
known which both store new cigarettes and function as ashtrays, see WO
2000/045654 A1 or U.S. Pat. No. 5,520,196 A. Smokeless tobacco users have
dual-purpose packaging in the form of packages which hold a supply of
fresh, unused material as well as a disposal area for used product, often
in the lid portion. See, Registered Community Design No. 000359823-0001
or SE 527,350 C2. Such a configuration is particularly useful for wrapped
smokeless tobacco products as the wrapping material may be slow to
degrade, meaning throwing them to the ground can be as disfavoured as
discarding cigarette butts in the same manner.

[0004]Furthermore, there are packages in the tobacco field which
accommodate users' varying tastes. One example is packaging which
incorporates two separate compartments, each holding a plurality of
cigarettes having a first or second flavourant, respectively. See, for
example U.S. Pat. No. 7,124,883.

[0005]For users whose tastes may vary, general multi-functional packages
are provided. U.S. Pat. No. 2,100,298 A describes a fabric pouch
subdivided into a plurality of compartments for storing, e.g., a pipe,
loose tobacco, and matches; or toiletries, cigarettes, and a lighter.

[0006]Finally, some packages are available which specifically attempt to
respond to tobacco product users who want to reduce their consumption of
tobacco products or who want a non-tobacco product provided with their
tobacco product. In such packages, a plurality of cigarettes and a
plurality of non-tobacco products, optionally nicotine-containing, may be
provided. See, for example, GB 2,412,835A.

[0007]Despite these advances in packaging solutions there remains a need
to provide packaging options for consumers which offer a mix of products
while maintaining product quality.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0008]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a
package which incorporates a smokeable tobacco product and a smokeless
tobacco product.

[0009]According to the invention a first unit of the package may contain
smokeable tobacco product and a second unit may contain a smokeless
tobacco product.

[0010]With the purpose of providing a storage possibility for the
smokeless tobacco product with a good storage environment and where this
product will not affect any other products stored in the inventive
package it is proposed that at least the second unit may be of a material
suitable as a barrier material for moisture and/or aroma related to the
smokeless tobacco product. In order to provide a good storage environment
for the smokeable tobacco product where this product will not affect
other products in the inventive package it is also proposed that at least
the first unit may be of a material suitable as a barrier material for
the smokeable tobacco product.

[0011]According to the invention, the first unit provides a discrete space
for smokeable tobacco products. These smokeable products can be wrapped,
e.g. with metallised paper wrappers, or the first unit itself can serve
as a wrapper. The second unit provides a discrete space for smokeless
tobacco products. These smokeless products can be wrapped or the second
unit itself can serve as a wrapper. When so provided, the respective
smokeable and smokeless products can be protected both from environmental
factors and from components of the other articles provided in their
proximity.

[0012]In order to provide a possibility to take care of used tobacco
products it is proposed that the package comprises at least one disposal
unit for used products, for instance, it is proposed that the second unit
comprises one product unit for smokeless tobacco products and one
disposal unit for used smokeless products.

[0013]In order to make the smokeless tobacco products accessible to a user
with a maintained good storage environment for the smokeless tobacco
product it is proposed that the second unit comprises a base portion and
a lid portion, and that the lid portion is resealably removable from the
base portion.

[0014]An inventive package can be realised in different ways and one
embodiment teaches that the package comprises an outer casing enclosing
the first and second units. This outer casing could be selected from the
group consisting of a flip top box, a soft pack, and a flexible film.

[0015]The second unit could be selected from the group consisting of a
flip-top box, a blister-type container, a resealable zipper-type bag, and
a container having an opening with a barrier or film resealably located
over the opening.

[0016]The first unit can be selected from the group consisting of a flip
top box, a soft pack, a blister-type container, and a resealable
zipper-type bag.

[0017]The second unit can be arranged with the first unit in different
ways. Examples of possible embodiments are that the second unit is
sealingly, removably, replaceably, magnetically or hingedly attached to
an outer side of a surface of the first unit. It is also possible that
the second unit is sealingly, removably, replaceably, magnetically or
hingedly attached to an inner side of a surface of the first unit.

[0018]The exemplifying embodiments described above relate to an inventive
package with at least two units, a first unit for storage of a smokeable
tobacco product and a second unit for the storage of a smokeless tobacco
product. However, it should be understood that the inventive idea can
also be realised through a second unit for storage of a smokeless tobacco
product that is adapted to connect with a first unit for storage of
smokeable products. That is the inventive product is the second unit by
itself, which second unit is adapted to connect to separate first unit.

[0019]Such an inventive second unit can be sealingly, removably,
replaceably, magnetically or hingedly attached to a surface of the first
unit.

[0020]With the purpose of providing a storage possibility for the
smokeless tobacco product with a good storage environment and where this
product will not affect any other products in any first unit whereto the
second unit is attached, it is proposed that the second unit may be of a
material suitable as a barrier material for moisture and/or aroma related
to the smokeless tobacco.

[0021]In order to provide a possibility to take care of used tobacco
products it is proposed that the second unit comprises at least one
product unit for smokeless tobacco products and a disposal unit for used
products, and second unit comprises a base portion and a lid portion, and
in order to make the smokeless tobacco products accessible to a user with
a maintained good storage environment for the smokeless tobacco product,
it is proposed that that the lid portion may be resealably removeable
from the base portion.

[0022]The second unit can be attached to the first unit in a plurality of
ways. One exemplifying embodiment of an inventive second unit is where
the second unit is adapted to fit within the first unit, and can thus be
adapted to fit within different first units, such as a flip top box or a
soft pack.

[0023]The second unit may also be adapted to fit within an outer casing
selected from the group consisting of a flip top box, a soft pack, and a
flexible film.

[0024]The second unit itself can be selected from the group consisting of
a flip-top box, a blister-type container, a resealable zipper-type bag,
and a container having an opening with a barrier or film resealably
located over the opening.

[0025]The second unit may be a refill package, that is, a unit that is
reused and refilled many times.

[0026]The present invention also relates to a method of making an
inventive package, the method comprising the steps of: [0027]providing
a first unit comprising a charge of a smokeable tobacco product;
[0028]providing a second unit comprising a charge of a smokeless tobacco
product; and [0029]assembling the package so as to join the first unit
and the second unit.

[0030]The present invention also relates to the method of making an
inventive package, the method comprising the steps of:

[0031]providing a first unit adapted to hold a smokeable tobacco product;

[0032]providing a second unit adapted to hold a smokeless tobacco product;
and

[0033]assembling the package so as to join the first unit and the second
unit.

[0034]It is proposed that the latter method further comprises the steps
of:

[0035]filling the first unit with a charge of a smokeable tobacco product;
and

[0036]filling the second unit with a charge of a smokeless tobacco
product.

[0037]Advantages of an inventive package, an inventive second unit or an
inventive method include the benefit that the invention enables the
packaging of both smokeable and smokeless moist tobacco products in one
and the same package. This can be provided without any detrimental effect
on the tobacco products and with packages that are easily pocketed and
handled by a user.

[0038]As used herein, tobacco products are separated into two major
classes, smokeable tobacco products and smokeless tobacco products.
"Smokeable tobacco products" includes all tobacco products which are
intended for consumption when burned or heated (pyrolysis). They include
cigarettes, cigarillos and cigars. "Smokeless moist tobacco products"
refers to all tobacco products which are intended for oral or nasal
administration without any burning or heating. They can be loose or
portioned. Examples include chewing tobacco and Swedish-style snus.
Moisture levels vary depending on the specific product, but a
characteristic of this class of goods is that their relative moisture or
water activity level exceeds that of smokeable tobacco products. For
example, some types of Swedish-style snus have moisture levels of 20-50%.

[0039]As used herein, "tobacco" includes any part, e.g., leaves, flowers,
stems, of any member of the genus Nicotiana and reconstituted materials
thereof. It includes derivatives such as specific compounds found in
natural tobacco, e.g., nicotine, whether extracted or synthesized, as
well as structural derivatives such as the fibrous portion of a tobacco
leaf. It further includes tobacco substitutes which comprise individual
chemicals and/or complex chemical entities which, when appropriately
prepared, physically resemble natural tobacco.

[0040]The term "flip top box" refers to any package generally along the
lines of the well-known hinged lid paperboard box provided for
cigarettes. Flip top boxes can have various configurations such as
edges/corners which are substantially square, substantially non-square,
bevelled, rounded, or a combination thereof. Lid size and placement can
vary.

[0041]The term "soft pack" refers to any package generally along the lines
of the well-known flexible film and paper-wrapped charge of smoking
articles. Such packages vary, e.g., with the location and type of tear
line which allows a user to remove a wall or a portion of a wall for
access.

[0042]"Blister-type container" refers to a general class of packaging
which provides a formed tray-like recess which accommodates a product and
a sealing layer which may comprise a second tray-like recess or a
semi-flexible layer such as one formed of paper, plastic, or metallized
foil. The recess is conventionally made of vacuum-formed plastic but
could be any suitable material, including metals, papers, and combination
products.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043]In order that the subject invention may be easily understood and
readily carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of
example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

[0044]FIGS. 1a and 1b show an embodiment with a second unit attached to an
outside surface of a first unit in an adjacent and distanced position,
respectively,

[0045]FIG. 2 shows a second unit with a product unit and a disposal unit,

[0046]FIG. 3 shows a second unit with a base portion and a lid portion,

[0047]FIG. 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a second unit with a base
portion and a lid portion,

[0048]FIG. 5 shows a package with an outer casing holding a first and a
second unit, and

[0050]For tobacco product consumers who choose to use a variety of
different tobacco products, or where external factors such as
restrictions on smoking influence a choice of product it is desirable to
provide the consumer with a single packaging option.

[0051]Due to the differing nature of smokeable and smokeless tobacco
products, the packaging that will accommodate both ideally will be
configured in such a way so as to provide at least as good storage
conditions as a user finds in single-product packaging. For example,
smokeless tobacco can be provided in a moist format, e.g. 50% moisture.
As such, a moisture barrier is ideally incorporated in the packaging to
retain the high level of moisture in the product as product performance
can decrease rapidly as the product dries out.

[0052]Smokeable tobacco products can also be sensitive to environmental
factors. Increasingly, these products incorporate catalysts and
filtration aids such as additives in wrapping paper or filters, which
components provide improved product performance. However, certain of the
components are sensitive to moisture or odours in their immediate
environment, such that keeping the product dry and relatively
self-contained is preferred. Furthermore, where flavourants or aromas are
used in conjunction with either smokeable or smokeless products, it may
be desired to package the goods in such a way that volatile flavouring
elements do not evaporate, and so that they do not pass on their flavour
or aroma to other articles stored in their vicinity.

[0053]Recent advances in resealable openings, such as zipper-style
closures and adhesive films configured to resealably close a container
opening, can offer advantages when used in conjunction with the
invention. Furthermore, the overall dimensions of the package are ideally
configured to have a suitable size and volume to contain a standard
amount of product, but remain easily handled and pocketed. With existing
packaging solutions users are forced to compromise product performance by
mixing different products in one container, or compromise convenience and
simplicity by carrying a plurality of separate and distinct container on
their person at any given time. Thus the invention provides benefits for
the products and the portability of the overall package.

[0054]Properties and advantages of the present invention will now be
described with reference to FIG. 1 which schematically shows a package 1
comprising a first unit 11 for a smokeable tobacco product and a second
unit 12 for a smokeless tobacco product.

[0055]At least the second unit 12 is of a material suitable as a barrier
material for moisture and/or aroma related to the smokeless tobacco
product, and at least the first unit 11 is of a material suitable as a
barrier material for the smokeable tobacco product.

[0056]It is proposed that either or both of the first and second unit 11,
12 can be sub-divided e.g. by internal walls into a plurality of
compartments. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment where the inventive package 1
comprises at least one disposal unit 12'' for used products.

[0057]It is possible to have a disposal unit for used smokeless product or
used smokeable product. As previously noted combination cigarette and
ashtray products are known as are combination unused and used snus
containers. The present invention teaches that the second unit 12 can
comprise one product unit 12' for smokeless tobacco products and one
disposal unit 12'' for used smokeless products. It is also possible that
an inventive package, in addition to this, could comprise an ashtray or
other suitable disposal means for used smokeable tobacco products.

[0058]FIGS. 3 and 4 each show a second unit 12 which comprises a base
portion 12a and a lid portion 12b, where the lid portion 12b is
resealably removeable from the base portion 12a. Opening(s) in a second
unit could take any convenient shape but preferably will allow finger
access to the product. In some embodiments it is preferred that the
products are easily removable. In some embodiments the products are
removed by shaking the second unit, which may be provided with means that
facilitates dispersal of a single product unit per shake. The FIG. 4
embodiment further comprises a sliding outer portion 12c which forms an
additional protective barrier over the lid portion 12b.

[0059]As will be evident to a skilled person, the present invention can be
realised through different embodiments. One proposed embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5 teaches that the package 1 comprises an outer
casing 13 enclosing the first and second units 11, 12. An outer casing
could be selected from the group consisting of a flip top box, a soft
pack, a flexible film such as shrink-wrap or heat-sealed polyfilms
typically used as the outer wrapper for cigarette packages. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5 the outer casing 13 is a piece of formed metal which
is configured to fit around the blister-type packaging which comprises
the first and second units 11, 12. One possible embodiment shown in FIG.
6 is then that the first unit 11 is a flip-top box and the second unit 12
is inside the first unit 11, where the outer casing 13 is an outer
plastic wrap which could be clear, opaque, printed, or have any other
surface treatment desired.

[0060]The second unit 12 can for instance be selected from the group
consisting of a flip-top box, a blister-type container, a resealable
zipper-type bag, and a container having an opening with a barrier or film
resealably located over the opening, and the first unit 11 can for
instance be selected from the group consisting of a flip top box, a soft
pack, a blister-type container, and a resealable zipper-type bag. For
instance, if the smokeable product is loose tobacco for roll-your-own
users, a zipper-type bag might be preferred.

[0061]It is proposed that the second unit 12 is sealingly, removably,
replaceably, magnetically or hingedly attached to an outer side of a
surface of the first unit 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1, where FIG. 1b
shows the attachment 14. The second unit 12 may alternatively be
sealingly, removably, replaceably, magnetically or hingedly attached to
an inner side of a surface of the first unit 11, as illustrated in FIG.
6. Any suitable attachment means beyond the specific examples given is
within the scope of the invention.

[0062]The present invention also relates to a second unit 12 for storage
of a smokeless tobacco product, as shown in FIG. 3. The second unit 12 is
adapted to connect with a first unit 11 for storage of a smokeable
product.

[0063]The inventive second unit 12 can be attached to the surface or
inside of a first unit by any means, such as sealingly, removably,
replaceably, magnetically or hingedly attached to the first unit, FIG. 1
showing an embodiment where the second unit 12 is hingedly attached to
the first unit 11.

[0064]It is proposed that the second unit 12 is of a material suitable as
a barrier material for moisture and/or aroma related to the smokeless
tobacco.

[0065]FIG. 2 shows a proposed embodiment where the second unit 12
comprises at least one product unit 12' for unused smokeless tobacco
products and a disposal unit 12'' for used products.

[0066]FIGS. 3 and 4 show two different embodiments where the second unit
12 comprises a base portion 12a and a lid portion 12b, where the lid
portion 12b is resealably removeable from the base portion 12a.

[0067]FIG. 1 shows that the second unit 12 can be attached to the surface
of the first unit 11, an alternative way to attach the second unit 12 to
the first unit 11 is shown in FIG. 5 where they are provided
side-by-side, or it is also possible to adapt the second unit 12 to fit
within the first unit 11 as shown in FIG. 6.

[0068]The second unit 12 can be adapted to be attached to a first unit 11
which could be selected from the group consisting of a flip top box, a
soft pack, a blister-type container, and a resealable zipper-type bag.

[0069]The second unit 12 can also be adapted to fit within an outer casing
13 which according to certain embodiments might be selected from the
group consisting of a flip top box, a soft pack, and a flexible film,
where a first unit 11 for a smokeable tobacco product also can be fitted
within the outer casing 13, FIG. 6 showing an embodiment where the second
unit 12 is fitted within the first unit 11, which in turn is fitted
within an outer casing 13 made out of a flexible film.

[0070]The second unit 12 can be any suitable container, such as one
selected from the group consisting of a flip-top box, a blister-type
container, a resealable zipper-type bag, and a container having an
opening with a barrier or film resealably located over the opening.

[0071]The inventive second unit can for instance be a refill package.

[0072]The present invention also relates to a method of making a package,
comprising the steps of: [0073]providing a first unit comprising a
charge of a smokeable tobacco product; [0074]providing a second unit
comprising a charge of a smokeless tobacco product; and [0075]assembling
the package so as to join the first unit and the second unit.

[0076]An alternative method of making an inventive package is a method
comprising the steps of:

[0077]providing a first unit adapted to hold a smokeable tobacco product;

[0078]providing a second unit adapted to hold a smokeless tobacco product;
and

[0079]assembling the package so as to join the first unit and the second
unit.

[0080]The latter proposed method can also comprise the steps of:

[0081]filling said first unit with a charge of a smokeable tobacco
product; and

[0082]filling said second unit with a charge of a smokeless tobacco
product.

[0083]The foregoing description and examples have been set forth merely to
illustrate the invention and are not intended to be limiting. Since
modifications of the described embodiments incorporating the spirit and
substance of the invention may occur to persons skilled in the art, the
invention should be construed broadly to include all variations within
the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.